Comment by no_wizard

If Ukraine was part of NATO it wouldn’t have happened I am willing to bet.

Most in depth analysis I’ve seen of these Russia - Ukraine conflicts cite this as one of the top factors in why Russia invaded both a decade ago and the most recent war that is ongoing.

That is to say - mutual cooperation agreements like that have enough teeth to keep conflicts to a minimum as the repercussions are severe

Also another ultimate irony is that Russia didn’t completely cut the rest of Europe off from its oil and gas. That symbiosis continues albeit not the same way. Perhaps electricity would be the same